Master 100 Gross Ton USCG Approved License Distance Learning Course
Upgrade your OUPV license and take seven or more (7+) paying customers onto the water! Enroll in one of Sea School’s three (3) day instructor-led distance learning courses (via Zoom) and start your journey today.
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Why Thousands of Mariners Choose Sea School?
Each year, over 7,500 students choose Sea School for their maritime training. We offer 30+ USCG-approved courses across in-person, online, and satellite formats, with training available at 6 locations nationwide. Team training is also available on-site or via satellite to meet company needs.
The Master / Mate 100 GRT License Course
It covers vessel handling, seamanship, and meteorology, while also providing a more detailed overview of maritime regulations and laws. Graduates of this course can apply for a Master 25, 50, or 100 GRT license, depending on their sea time.
We send by mail the coursebooks before the class starts.
Master / Mate 25-100 GRT Zoom Completion and Certification Requirements
Any applicant who has successfully completed your Upgrade OUPV to Master 100 Tons (SEASCH-530) course within one year of application will satisfy the examination requirements of
- 46 CFR 11.201(j)(1) for original issuance of the following endorsements:
- Upgrade from OUPV to Master of vessels of less than 100 GRT upon Near Coastal, or Great Lakes and Inland, or Inland waters, PROVIDED the applicant holds an OUPV endorsement or has met the examination requirements for OUPV within one year of application; AND
- Increase in scope from OUPV upon Great Lakes and Inland, or Inland waters to OUPV upon Near Coastal waters; OR
- Increase the scope of a credential of Master of vessels of less than 100 GRT upon Great Lakes and Inland, or Inland waters to Near Coastal waters.
- Upgrade from OUPV to Master of vessels of less than 100 GRT upon Near Coastal, or Great Lakes and Inland, or Inland waters, PROVIDED the applicant holds an OUPV endorsement or has met the examination requirements for OUPV within one year of application; AND
This course does not satisfy the Rules of the Road: International and Inland examination requirement to remove a geographic COLREGS limitation from a deck officer endorsement.
Why Thousands of Mariners Choose Sea School?
Each year, over 7,500 students choose Sea School for their maritime training. We offer 30+ USCG-approved courses across in-person, online, and satellite formats, with training available at 6 locations nationwide. Team training is also available on-site or via satellite to meet company needs.
Master 100 GRT Captain's License: Everything You Need to Get Certified
Education & Testing Requirements
Course Completion Certificate:
- Completion of Sea School’s approved Master/Mate 100GT course and exam.
- Alternatively, the exam may be taken at a USCG Regional Exam Center (REC) (note: not all provide testing).
- Prep courses are strongly recommended.
Testing:
- Upon completion of your course, you will need to schedule an online proctored exam with Sea School.
- If you'd prefer to test in person, we offer exams at our Sea School offices. Those offices are in Charleston, SC, Jacksonville, FL, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, St. Petersburg, FL. Panama City, FL or Bayou La Batre, AL.
- All exams for Distance Learning courses must be completed within one year of the course start date.
Eligibility Requirements
Minimum Age
- Must be 19 years old.
- Students 18 years old may take the course if their 19th birthday falls within one year of completion
Boating Experience (Sea Time):
- Master Inland: Same as OUPV. 360 days overall
- Master NC: 720 days overall, at least 360 in NC waters
Tonnage Requirements by License Level:
If NC license:
- 100GT=180 days >51 gt or 360 >
- 36GT50GT= 180 > 26gt, or 360 > 17gt
- All others will get 25gt
If INLAND:
- 100GT= 90 days > 51GT or 180>34GT
- 50GT= 90 > 26GT or 180 > 17GT
- All others get 25GT
Real-World Expertise
Excellence starts with a strong foundation. We believe in mastering fundamental skills, building confidence, and ensuring every mariner has the knowledge and expertise needed to succeed in their career.
Flexible Learning Options
True leadership is demonstrated through action. We foster a hands-on approach, where mariners learn by doing and gain real-world experience that prepares them for the challenges of the industry.
Career Advancement
In the maritime world, challenges are inevitable - but so are solutions. We encourage proactive thinking, problem-solving, and the courage to take initiative.
Industry-Recognized Certifications
We never settle for mediocrity. Whether in training, leadership, or problem-solving, we strive for the highest standards in everything we do.
A Strong Community & Industry Network
Success in the maritime industry requires a strong work ethic. We embrace a roll-up-your-sleeves mentality, knowing that real growth comes from effort and persistence.
Confidence & Leadership Development
Ttrue professionals must be ready to adapt. We believe in staying agile, embracing change, and continuously expanding our skills to meet new challenges.
We’ve developed comprehensive, engaging, and practical curriculum to set you up for success on the water
While the curriculum represented on the Sea School website is a general layout of course information, it is not the exact order in which lessons are taught.
- Shipboard Terminology & Principles of Ship Construction
- Trim, Stability & Buoyancy
- Effects of Icing and Downflooding
- Shipboard Terminology & Principles of Ship Construction
- Trim, Stability & Buoyancy
- Effects of Icing and Downflooding
- Purchases, Block & Tackle
- Purchases, Block & Tackle
- Ocean Current Systems
- Principles of Magnetic Compass
- Magnetic Compass Error/Correction
- Ocean Current Systems
- Principles of Magnetic Compass
- Magnetic Compass Error/Correction
- Dragging of & Clearing of Fouled Anchors
- Maneuver for Launching Lifeboats/Rafts in Heavy Weather
- Receiving Survivors from Lifeboats/Rafts
- Dragging of & Clearing of Fouled Anchors
- Maneuver for Launching Lifeboats/Rafts in Heavy Weather
- Receiving Survivors from Lifeboats/Rafts
- Rescuing Survivors from Ship/Aircraft in Distress
- Rescuing Survivors from Ship/Aircraft in Distress
- Organization of Fire Drills
- Firefighting Systems
- Firefighting Equipment & Regulations for T-Boats
- Sea Survival
- Organization of Fire Drills
- Firefighting Systems
- Firefighting Equipment & Regulations for T-Boats
- Sea Survival
- Lifesaving Appliance Regulations for T-Boats
- Lifesaving Appliance Operations for T-Boats
- Lifesaving Appliance Regulations for T-Boats
- Lifesaving Appliance Operations for T-Boats
- Vessel Alteration/Repair Hot Work
- Vessel Alteration/Repair Hot Work
- Load Lines
- Rules & Regulations for Inspected T-Boats
- Shipment & Discharge, Manning
- Load Lines
- Rules & Regulations for Inspected T-Boats
- Shipment & Discharge, Manning
- MARPOL 73/78
- Other International Instruments - Ship/Passenger/Crew/Cargo Safety
- MARPOL 73/78
- Other International Instruments - Ship/Passenger/Crew/Cargo Safety
A Simple 3-Step Process to Get Certified and Start Your Maritime Career
Choose Your Course
Pick the course that fits your experience level and sea time and select the available format that works for you (in-person, Zoom, or online).
Enroll & Prepare
Register online or at a Sea School location. Ensure you meet eligibility requirements and start reviewing the provided study materials.
Get Certified
After finishing the course, you will need to submit your application to the Coast Guard to receive your Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).
What Our Clients Say
Thank you so much! You were great!
Matthew F.
Instructor was very knowledgeable and was willing to help.
Winston G.
Office staff was very helpful with everything.
Instructor did an awesome job teaching.
Steven F.
Excellent course.
Outstanding office staff. Instructor did a good job.
Brian H.
Helpful office staff.
Well informed course. Awesome instructor and food.
Greg B.
Amazing!
Pat is a wealth of knowledge.
Edward G.
Very helpful and knowledgeable office staff.
Clean & well laid out classroom. Instructor was very knowledgeable with great way of explaining everything.
Patrick G.
John made that class fun, learned a lot!
Dexter J.
Very organized office staff, clean and neat classroom.
The instructor does a great job and is a great instructor.
Ryan H.
Very clean classroom!
The office staff is most helpful and wonderful to have in your corner. The instructor was very knowledgeable of the material.
Jordan H.
What We Provide:
What Students Need to Bring:
- Non-programmable calculator
- Pencil
- Highlighter
- Notebook
Advance your Maritime Career
All the answers you’ll need before enrolling in the Master License course
A Master’s License is a USCG approved license that allows license holders to operate inspected vessels with seven or more paying passengers. The Master's License is available in 25, 50, and 100-ton versions. Eligibility is based on sea service time and vessel size.
An inspected vessel is a vessel built in accordance with USCG Commercial Vessel inspection standards. A Certificate of Inspection (CG-841) is given to a vessel once it has been inspected and approved by the US Coast Guard. This certificate is required for vessels that carry more than six paying passengers and includes details such as: the vessel's equipment, approved route, minimum manning requirements, passenger capacity, owner and operator information, and the certificate's period of validity.
Completing the Master / Mate 100GT Captain’s License course and passing the exam is one step toward getting a captain’s license.
The course completion certificate must be submitted along with a number of other documents to the National Maritime Center to receive the official Merchant Mariner Credential, or license.
For a complete list of requirements, see below:
General Requirements:
- A certificate of completion of Sea School’s approved course and exam.
- Alternatively, a student could take the exam at a USCG Regional Exam Center (REC).
- Not all USCG locations provide testing, so students must schedule at an REC.
- Prep courses like ours are strongly recommended.
- 19 years of age
- Students who are 18 years old may take the class, provided that their 19th birthday falls within one year of completing the course.
This is a common question from parents who want to take the class with their children.
- 720 Days of experience on Inland or Near Coastal Waters with 360 of those days being on Near Coastal or Ocean watersRecency
- 90 days of sea time in the past 3 years on vessels.
- Experience gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be credible for up to 90 days of the service requirements.100 GRT
- 180 days of service must be on vessels of 51 GRT or above OR 360 days of service on vessels of 34 GRT or above50 GRT
- 180 days of service must be on vessels of 26 GRT or above OR 360 days of service on vessels of 17 GRT or above25 GRT
- 541 days or more for endorsement on vessels 5 GRT or less OR 180 days or more on vessels 6-25 GRT OR 260 days or more on vessels 1-16 GRT.
Physical that satisfies the Form CG-719KWe offer physicals at most of our brick and mortar locationsConsortium membership / drug testSea School has its own USCG drug consortium, APCA.
Interested students can sign up for a drug test/consortium membership at apcadrugtesting.com or by calling (727) 522-2727USCG-approved CPR/First Aid certificate that is less than one year old.
We offer classes at all of our brick and mortar locations and it’s encouraged to promote our own coursesIf a student can’t make our class, we usually recommend:
- Emergency University
- American Heart Association
- The Red Cross
The course needs to be USCG-approved; many CPR courses aren’t USCG approved. For further questions, consult the USCG website https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/courses/courses.pdf?ver=cUVU8wMoukUAjqtcDCToQQ%3d%3d×tamp=1717596524666
TWIC card (U.S. government security clearance)Must have U.S. CitizenshipWhile non-U.S. citizens can receive a limited OUPV license, mariners looking to obtain a Master License.
MUST BE U.S Citizens.Mariner fees must be paidWhile the Sea School does our best to keep our website up to date with all USCG standards and regulations, mariners should always check official documentation that can be found at Checklist NMC.
Mariners need 720 days of sea time before they are eligible to become a Master Captain. 90 of those 720 days of sea time must also be within the past 3 years.
This information is only correct for a Master Near Coastal license.
- Application CG719B
- Copy of current TWIC, or check TWIC box on application if expired
- Copy of valid medical certificate, or submit updated CG719K medical form
- Current drug screen
- Pay mariner fees
Sea Service Requirements (only if MMC is not expired beyond 6 years):
Please note only 1 of the below is required to renew your Master license
- 360 days of service during the past 5 years from date of application
- Pass a comprehensive, open-book exercise
- Complete an approved refresher training course
- Provide evidence of employment as a qualified instructor or in a position closely related to the operation, construction, or repair of vessels (either deck or engineer as appropriate) for at least 3 yrs during the past 5 years from date of application
- Provide evidence of being a qualified instructor who has taught a CG approved course relevant to the endorsement being applied at least twice within past 5 years from date of application.
Submit your Application Packet to the Nearest Regional Exam Center (REC)
The USCG Master’s License is the highest level captain’s license and allows you to operate larger, inspected vessels, such as dinner cruises, ferries, dive boats, and party boats with seven or more passengers.
There are several differences between an OUPV and Master’s license listed below:
- Required Age: For OUPV the minimum age is 18 while the minimum age for Master is 19.
- Citizenship: OUPV can be permanent resident. Master MUST be US citizen.
- Passenger Limit: OUPV (6-Pack) license allows you to take up to 6 passengers for hire on your vessel. Master License allows you to take more than 6 passengers.
- Vessel Type: OUPV is for “uninspected” vessels only. Master License is for inspected and uninspected vessels.
- Area of Operation: OUPV is for U.S. Inland and Near Coastal Waters. Master’s License is for U.S. & International Waters (depending on your endorsement)
- Master's License sea time: Master Inland: 360 days total (same as OUPV). Master Near Coastal: 720 overall, at least 360 in near coastal waters.
The 25/50/100-Ton Masters license is reserved for U.S. citizens. Non-eligible individuals can still join the Sea School course to enhance their maritime knowledge and boating skills.
There are three different Master Licenses available: 25-ton, 50-ton, and 100-ton. Each license permits you to operate vessels up to the specified tonnage: 25 tons, 50 tons, and 100 tons, respectively. The Coast Guard determines your license eligibility based on your sea time. See below for general guidelines:
If NC license:
- 100GT=180 days >51 gt or 360 > 34GT
- 50GT=180 days >26GT, or 360 days > 17GT
- All others will get 25gt
If INLAND:
- 100GT= 90 days > 51GT or 180>34GT
- 50GT= 90 > 26GT or 180 > 17GT
- All others get 25GT
If you meet all the requirements for a Master’s License (MM100) you can apply for both OUPV and a Master/Mate License at the same time, presuming you complete both courses prior.
Your Journey Begins Here – Get Certified & Get on the Water!
Helping thousands of mariners every year, Sea School is a leader in the maritime education space. Whether you are new to the industry or looking to add onto your Merchant Mariner Credential, find the courses right for you at Sea School.
